The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC June competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 35: Pungent bulb loses head to take the first universal league (5)

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A clue to UNION.
2 comments refer to this clue (from 2 competitors, 0 others)

Here is the text

Comments on the clue
1.What’s the surface supposed to mean?
2.Not sure what's intended by the surface reading here.